Urine collection apparatus

Abstract

A urine collection device for females comprising an interface body having an interface surface for engagement with the user's body. The interface body comprises a forward portion defining a urine-receiving bore having an inlet in the interface surface adapted to be disposed in surrounding relation to the urethral opening of the user. The interface body further comprises a rear portion integrally adjoining the forward portion and having a non-invasive vaginal seal on the interface surface for sealing the vagina of the user from communication with the urine-receiving bore. An absorbent pad is removably supported on the interface body and extends laterally therefrom. Also disclosed is a garment for supporting the urine collection device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A urine collection device for human females comprising: an interface body having an interface surface for engagement with the user's body, said interface body comprising a forward portion defining a urine-receiving bore having an inlet in said interface surface adapted to be disposed in surrounding relation to the urethral opening of the user, said interface body further comprising a rear portion integrally adjoining said forward portion and having a vaginal seal including an elevated lip portion on said interface surface for sealing the vagina of the user from communication with said urine-receiving bore;   and an absorbent pad removably supported on said interface body and extending laterally therefrom.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 wherein said vaginal seal is substantially non-invasive and is adpated to seal about the periphery of the vaginal opening of the user. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 2 wherein said vaginal seal is a lip-like seal ring having a base edge adjoining said interface surface and a free edge extending away from said interface surface. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 3 wherein said seal ring is flared outwardly from its base edge to its free edge and is comprised of a material which is relatively rigid at normal room temperatures, but becomes more flexible and resilient at human body temperature such as to readily conform to the configuration of the user's anatomy when subjected to the pressure of the user's body against the material. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 3 wherein said interface body further comprises a positioning member within said seal ring and adapted to engage the vaginal opening of the user. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 5 wherein said positioning member is substantially non-invasive. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 1 wherein said forward portion of said interface body forms a sealing rim about at least a major portion of said inlet for sealing about the urethral opening of the user. 
     
     
       8. The device of claim 7 wherein said forward portion of said interface body includes relatively thin chamber wall means continuous with said rim and defining a major portion of said urine-receiving bore. 
     
     
       9. The device of claim 8 wherein said rim and said chamber wall means are comprised of a material which is relatively rigid at normal room temperatures, but becomes more flexible and resilient at human body temperatures such as to readily conform to the configuration of the user's anatomy when subjected to the pressure of the user's body against the material. 
     
     
       10. The device of claim 7 wherein said interface body is comprised of a material which is relatively rigid at normal room temperatures, but becomes more flexible and resilient at human body temperature such as to readily conform to the configuration of the user's anatomy when subjected to the pressure of the user's body against the material. 
     
     
       11. The device of claim 1 further comprising support means extending laterally from said interface body to underlie and support said pad. 
     
     
       12. The device of claim 11 wherein said support means comprises a flange laterally surrounding said interface body distal said interface surface. 
     
     
       13. The device of claim 12 further comprising a drain conduit having an inlet opening and an inwardly extending rim surrounding said inlet opening and overlying said flange to removably support said drain conduit on said interface body, and said urine-receiving bore of said interface body further having an outlet communicating with the inlet opening of said drain conduit. 
     
     
       14. The device of claim 13 wherein said drain conduit is flexible and resilient. 
     
     
       15. The device of claim 14 wherein said drain conduit has a relatively wide upper end for receipt of said flange and a relatively narrow main body. 
     
     
       16. The device of claim 15 wherein said main body includes a convoluted section near said interface body to permit bending of said drain conduit without collapse thereof. 
     
     
       17. The device of claim 1 wherein said urine-receiving bore further includes an outlet opening generally away from said inlet, the device further comprising a flexible drain conduit removably attached to said interface body in communication with said outlet. 
     
     
       18. The device of claim 1 wherein said pad comprises a central body of wicking material surrounded by a casing of one-way permeable material. 
     
     
       19. The device of claim 18 wherein said pad comprises a relatively wide rear end and a relatively narrow forward end. 
     
     
       20. The device of claim 18 wherein the upper and lower layers of said casing are secured together adjacent the edges of said pad. 
     
     
       21. The device of claim 18 wherein said pad laterally surounds said interface body. 
     
     
       22. The device of claim 21 wherein said pad has an expansible central opening for permitting said pad to be placed in surrounding relation to said interface body. 
     
     
       23. A urine collection device for human females comprising: an interface body having an interface surface for engagement with the user's body, said interface body comprising a forward portion defining a urine-receiving bore having an inlet in said interface surface adapted to be disposed in surrounding relation to the urethral opening of the user, said interface body further comprising a rear portion integrally adjoining said forward portion and having a non-invasive vaginal seal including an elevated lip portion on said interface surface for sealing the vagina of the user from communication with said urine-receiving bore.   
     
     
       24. The device of claim 23 further comprising flange means extending laterally outwardly from said interface body distal said interface surface. 
     
     
       25. The device of claim 24 wherein said flange means laterally surounds said interface body. 
     
     
       26. The device of claim 25 further comprising a drain conduit having an inlet opening and an inwardly extending rim surrounding said inlet opening and overlying said flange to removably support said drain conduit on said interface body, said urine-receiving bore of said interface body further having an outlet communicating with the inlet opening of said drain conduit. 
     
     
       27. The device of claim 26 wherein said drain conduit has a relatively wide upper end for receipt of said flange and a relatively narrow main body. 
     
     
       28. The device of claim 23 wherein said vaginal seal is a lip-like seal ring having a base edge adjoining said interface surface and a free edge extending away from said interface surface. 
     
     
       29. The device of claim 28 wherein said seal ring is comprised of a material which is flexible and resilient at human body temperature and pressure. 
     
     
       30. The device of claim 28 wherein said interface body further comprises a positioning member within said seal ring and adapted to engage the vaginal opening of the user. 
     
     
       31. The device of claim 30 wherein said positioning member is substantially non-invasive. 
     
     
       32. The device of claim 23 wherein said forward portion of said interface body forms a sealing rim about at least a major portion of said inlet for sealing about the urethral opening of the user. 
     
     
       33. The device of claim 32 wherein said forward portion of said interface body includes relatively thin chamber wall means continuous with said rim and defining a major portion of said urine-receiving bore. 
     
     
       34. The device of claim 33 wherein said rim and said chamber wall means are comprised of a material which is relatively rigid at normal room temperatures but becomes more flexible and resilient at human body temperatures such as to readily conform to the configuration of the user's anatomy when subjected to the pressure of the user's body against the material.